Analyzing Success Factors of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs): A Study in Iranian Context

Purpose: This study aims to identify and analyze the success factors of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) following the lines of dynamic capabilities and resources-based views.Methodology: To achieve this objective, the multiple case study method was followed, where ۲۰ SMEs/cases in Iran were selected. For this purpose, the statistical population of the research is the managers, experts and experts of small and medium-sized enterprises. For determining the sample size, a targeted sampling method has been used. The reliability of the questionnaire was also confirmed by Cronbach's Alpha (α = ۰.۹۷۱) and its validity was confirmed by experts and experts. Finally, ISM technique used to analyze information.Findings: From a content analysis of the interviews conducted to the owner-managers of these SMEs, the most important success factors identified were: ۱) Business environment, ۲) Capital availability, ۳) Business support, ۴) Leadership and Management, ۵) Business characteristics, ۶) Individual factors, ۷) Government Support, ۸) Infrastructure, ۹) Human Resource Management and ۱۰) Networks/Partnerships.

Keywords:

Success Factors (SFs) , Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) , Interpretative Structural Modeling (ISM)